The annual On the Waterfront (OTW) music festival kicks off Thursday, Sept. 1, with the Rock Allegiance Tour on the Great Lawn Stage at Davis Park in downtown Rockford.

Live musical performances, entertainment, food, carnival rides and other special attractions continue throughout the Labor Day weekend. The festival concludes with a headlining performance by the Stone Temple Pilots from 9 to 10:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 4, on the Great Lawn Stage.

General festival tickets are $15 in advance for all three days or $12 at the gate for a single day. Great Lawn reserved seats can be purchased through the Coronado Performing Arts Center at (815) 964-4388 or coronadopac.org.

For more about the festival, contact the OTW office inside Stewart Square at 308 W. State St., Suite 115, by phone at (815) 964-4388, or visit onthewaterfront.com.

Music

Music stages are in the following locations:

Great Lawn Stage — South side of Davis Park, 320 S. Wyman St., near corner of South Wyman and Cedar streets

Left Bank Stage — North side of Davis Park, 320 S. Wyman St., corner of South Wyman and Chestnut streets

Center Stage — Corner of North Wyman and Mulberry streets, across from the Rockford Public Library

Oasis Stage — Corners of North Wyman and Jefferson Street and North Wyman and Park Avenue, near Beattie Park and Hinshaw & Culbertson

(Note: The Kids’ Court Stage is at the corner of North Wyman and Elm streets)

Saturday, Sept. 3

Noon-12:45 p.m. — Children’s Theater Project

1-1:45 p.m. — Evolve Dance Company

2-2:30 p.m. — Shine and the Moonbeams

3-3:45 p.m. — The Happiness Club

4-4:45 p.m. — Shine and the Moonbeams

5-5:45 p.m. — The Happiness Club

Sunday, Sept. 4

Noon-12:45 p.m. — Little Nashville

1-1:45 p.m. — Evolve Dance Company

2-2:45 p.m. — Children’s Theater Project

3-3:45 p.m. — Little Nashville

4-4:45 p.m. — Poochamungas

5-5:45 p.m. — Super Stolie

OTW Film Festival

The OTW Film Festival will be held during OTW Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 3-4, at the New Sullivan Theater, inside the Waterfront festival grounds. Admission to the film festival is included with admittance to OTW.

Saturday will feature the Best of the Mosaic Student Film Festival, special sneak peeks and Q&A with the makers of regionally-produced feature films Eros Ink and The Darkening. Sunday will feature an afternoon “audience pick” vote and an evening session featuring this year’s prize-winning submissions.

Be sure to stop in the lobby of the New Sullivan Theater to sign up for First Northern’s free raffle, and you could win “A Night Out in Chicago”-themed basket that includes a $250 First Northern Credit Union Visa Gift Card.

Live street painting by Laurence Barr and Joseph Stanley Goral will be performed outside the theater. Viewer discretion is advised as films may contain strong language/adult themes.

Carnival

Carnival rides are produced by Skinners Amusements, Inc.

Adventure Alley

Once again in 2011, inflatables will be available for the kid in all of us. An interesting array including the Bungee Pull and the Giant Slide beckon your inner child to come out and play.

Midway Madness

From 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 3-4, all carnival rides and inflatable activities are just two tickets, or $1.50 per ride.

Hole in One

Tee up at the OTW Hole in One Shoot-Out. Once again in 2011, prizes will be awarded for winners older and younger than 18, as well as to anyone whose ball lands on the green. Tee up at the Oasis Stage, and aim for the green located on a pontoon floating in the Rock River. Open to all amateur golfers all festival hours until dark.

ComEd Kids’ Castle

The festival’s most popular children’s attraction will return in 2011. Children younger than 12 can take part in more than 30 interactive and make-and-take activities.

Watch Billy the Balloon Guy twist balloons into your favorite toy or animal. Play bingo with the other kids, learn to mini-putt and create a masterpiece with stamp art.

Don’t forget to listen to all the fascinating stories read by the Rockford Public Library team, and enjoy entertainment on the Kids’ Court Stage with performances during Kids’ Castle hours.

The Kids’ Castle is in the Wyman and Elm Street parking deck and is open Saturday and Sunday from festival open until 6 pm. Activities will be provided by several Rockford businesses and organizations. The Kids’ Castle is a smoke-free and alcohol-free environment.

Waterfront 5K

Race along the Rock River in the 18th annual Waterfront 5K. Check-in begins Saturday morning at 6:30 a.m., with the race beginning at 8 a.m. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three male and female runners in the 5K race, as well as the top male and female “master” runners. Call (815) 964-4388 with questions.

Kids’ 1/4-Mile Fun Run

Immediately following the Waterfront 5K at the Trolley Station near the Riverview Ice House is the Kids’ 1/4-Mile Fun Run. Free registration is from 8:15 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. the day of the race at the Trolley Station. Race starts at 9 a.m.

Rockford Chariots Wheelchair Basketball

Established in 1986, the Rockford Chariots Wheelchair Athletic Association works to provide programs for developing the athletic potential of individuals with lower limb impairments. These gifted athletes compete against local celebrities and city officials in a long-standing and friendly rivalry that goes back many years. Exhibition games are Saturday and Sunday.

Winnovation

Winnovation, Winnebago’s High School Robotics Team, invites you to see Robotics in action Saturday, Sept. 3.

Hot Air Balloon Fly Over

At approximately 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 5, this event is visible from anywhere in the festival. See several brightly-colored hot air balloons soar overhead Saturday evening.

Urban Street Market

Shop the weekend away at this unique collection of outdoor vendors. The Urban Street Market is filled with colorful booths overflowing with art, jewelry, clothing, carvings and other rare finds from exotic locales from all over the world.

Bright Stars Celebration

The 10th Annual Bright Stars Celebration will be at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 3, on the Left Bank Stage. The Bright Stars Celebration honors eighth-grade students in the Rockford area who have achieved honor-roll status during each quarter of the 2010-2011 academic year.

Food and beverage

With more than 30 food vendors throughout the festival, there’s sure to be something to tempt your tastebuds! In fact, the plethora of festival treats is one of the top reasons people make OTW part of their Labor Day plans.

Pepsi, the Official Soft Drink of On the Waterfront, has booths throughout the festival where you can purchase soft drinks, juice and water. Beer tents are also located in many of the stage venues where you can buy a cold beer or other alcoholic beverages, including a variety of wines. Each music venue has a variety of food and beverage booths.

All of the Pepsi booths and beer tents are staffed by local not-for-profit organizations. Purchase food and beverages with 50-cent tickets, which are available throughout the festival grounds at OTW ticket booths, which are also staffed by local not-for-profit organizations.

Since 1986, area not-for-profit groups have raised $9.9 million at OTW. By purchasing tickets, food and beverages, you are supporting volunteering not-for-profit partners.